Incoming 6th graders and new families FAQ 2025-2026

 

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) as a helpful resource for families. These FAQs are intended to assist parents in navigating the start of the school year. Please note that this information has been prepared independently by the PTA, and is in line with communication and policies of Redwood Middle School.

 

Resources for Learning and Finding Information

 

1. Will there be an orientation day for new-to-RMS students? Yes! On Friday, August 8, rising 6th graders will come to school for a student-led orientation from 8am-noon. New-to-District 7th and 8th graders come from 1pm-2pm. NO PARENTS are allowed into the campus on this date (except from 8:15-10:15 for the PTA event at the RMS Library!); please drop your student off. Your student will receive a call from their student group leader in the week of August 4 with more information about the orientation. They basically play games and get to know the school campus and classmates during this orientation.

 

2. Will there be an orientation day for the adults? Yes! On Friday, August 8, parents are invited to the RMS LIBRARY to learn about the middle school and PTA-sponsored events and clubs. There will be coffee and nibbles, and a Q&A between 8:15-10:15.

 

3. Where do I find more information about everything? We know that parents often feel either underinformed or overwhelmed by the number of communications sent to them by the schools! We are hoping that this FAQ, along with the helpful links provided on the PTA website, RMS website, and SUSD website, each allow parents to easily search for information and locate answers at their own pace. Information is also sent out to parents via several different channels. Through ParentSquare, Mr. Hamm sends out a weekly newsletter on Mondays and the PTA sends a weekly newsletter on Fridays. Mr. Hamm also holds a very popular “Principal’s Coffee” each fall to meet parents and answer questions. This year, the Principal’s Coffee will take place in the RMS Library at 8:30 on August 22. And of course, each club and grade level will typically have their own WhatsApp groups. While the grade level WhatsApp groups are not “official” channels for school communications, they are probably the quickest way to receive flyers, sign-ups, and real-time answers to questions. The PTA also makes an effort to update their website home page with up-to-date flyers and sign-ups.  

 

4. Where can I access the school calendar? The PTA website has a list of Quick Links, including the page for the SUSD academic year calendar.

 

5. How do I access the Parent PowerSchool Sign In? Your student’s schedule, grades, standardized test scores, billing, and more are found on PowerSchool. The PTA website has a list of Quick Links, including the login for the SUSD PowerSchool Parent Sign In for your browser. From your phone, you can also access PowerSchool by going through the ParentSquare app. In the app, make sure you have Redwood Middle School pulled up (if you have kids at multiple SUSD schools). Click the “...More” button in the lower right corner. From there, hit the “Links” button. This will take you to several helpful websites, one of which is the correct PowerSchool Parent Sign In.

 

Your Student’s Schedule

 

6. When do classes start? Thursday, August 14th.

 

7. When do we get the class schedule for the year? We have been informed that student schedules will be posted on PowerSchool by Wednesday, August 13.

 

a. Can we change electives? Your student’s electives will be listed on their schedule. All students will receive their #1 choice. While the school puts an incredible amount of work into assigning the remaining electives based on student preferences, sometimes a student will not receive all their top choices. It is strongly encouraged that you give your student time to see how they enjoy their assigned electives. The vast majority of the time, students do not have issues with their electives and are very happy with what they get! It also may simply not be possible to change electives because of class sizes, your student’s existing schedule, and myriad other factors.

 

8. How do new students know where to go on the first day of class? If you’re concerned about your child finding the classrooms, you can walk the campus once the schedules have been posted. Many students find it useful to know where all their classes are. Please note that even if you’re unable to do a walk-through before school starts, your child will be ok! The teachers all know that it takes a little time to get from class to class at first, and it is not going to be a problem if your child is a little slow getting around.

 

9. When is Back to School Night at RMS (and what is it like)? BTS night at RMS takes place on August 28. This is a parent-only event, where you will visit each of your child’s classes in the order in which they have them on their schedule. The teachers will provide an overview of their class and you will also hear about some fun things at school like the Griffin News Network and Griffin Pride! More information about this event, including the schedule, will be sent out closer to the date.

 

10. What is Canvas? Canvas is the platform used by teachers to communicate with students about materials, lessons, schedules, and more. Students will be familiarized with Canvas in the first days of school. Around the second week of school, the school will provide information to parents. Although parents can join, this is really for the students to stay on top of tasks. It’s a great way for them to learn how to stay organized and be prepared. Many parents never look at their student’s account.

 

Preparing for the First Day of School

 

11. When do students get their Chromebooks? Students will receive their Chromebooks at the library before they leave their orientation session on August 8. They will keep these Chromebooks over the summers.

 

a. What if my student misses the orientation? For anyone who misses the orientation or first few days of school, the office will help get everything in order! On your student’s first day, they should visit the front office to check in and will receive their Chromebook. The guidance counselor, Angie Deans, and the rest of the office staff are very friendly and will help your student to make sure they’re all set.

 

12. When do students get their text books? Texts are distributed in the first days of school. It depends on the class, but most texts are also available online and your student will receive information about this from their teachers.

 

13. What supplies do we need for the first day? Most teachers have specific requirements or they provide materials to their classes, so it’s not recommended to purchase full supplies ahead of time. But if you would feel better buying some things before hearing teacher recommendations, you can purchase notebooks (most but not all teachers want college ruled notebooks), pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, extra lead, etc. Some students have found that a binder with dividers and extra paper is good for some of the subjects.

 

14. What is the deal with lockers? Every student will be assigned a locker on campus, in addition to a PE locker. Locker assignments happen in the first week or two. Many students (the majority) opt not to use their campus lockers. Instead, they carry all their materials in their backpacks. Who knows why!

 

a. Does the school provide locks?  No. However, the school does sell locks for $5. The school sells a specific type of lock so that they can assist with unlocking lockers in the event that your student loses or forgets their combination, or if the school is required to open a locker for safety reasons.

 

15. Are instruments for orchestra/band needed on the first day? No, there’s no need to bring an instrument on the first day.

 

16. What’s the deal with PE uniforms? Students don’t need the uniforms until the second week of school. The school will send instructions on how to purchase them at the beginning of the year. Generally, uniforms may be purchased through PowerSchool or with a check brought to the front office. In addition, on the first Monday during PE class, the students will be given an opportunity to buy the PE gear. If the students bring cash/check, they can pay during PE and get them. The uniforms are distributed in that second week of school.

 

a. How much do uniforms cost? $24 for a complete set or $12 for a single top or bottom.

 

b. How many PE uniforms are recommended? The recommendation is to get multiple (2-3) sets because they have PE daily and they do get sweaty. Most students leave their uniforms in their PE lockers during the week and take them home on Fridays to be laundered.

 

c. What should my student keep in their PE locker? Aside from their PE uniforms, we recommend that students keep a pair of sweats, a sweatshirt, athletic shoes, extra socks, and deodorant in their locker. Students cannot wear their school clothes during PE (even if they come to school in sweats).

 

17. Are rolling backpacks recommended? Most parents have observed that their students’ backpacks are very stuffed and heavy! Therefore, some students do like rolling backpacks. However, there is no specific recommendation or restriction on what kind of backpack your child can use. Your student should use what works for them, especially if they have classes on the second floor.

 

18. Does my child need to bring money for lunch? Lunch is free for students. They just get in line and they need student ID #. Your child’s Student ID # can be found in ParentSquare.

 

Picking Up and Dropping Off

 

19. What is the drop off time for school days? Classes start at 8:15, so it is recommended to arrive with ample time to walk to the classroom and not be late. Some kids get there at 8:00 (or earlier). Traffic around RMS gets very busy between about 8:07-8:15, so plan accordingly. Concerns regarding traffic congestion are an evergreen issue but the school prioritizes safety. It’s ok to be tardy! Please don’t disobey traffic rules and posted signs, or drop your child off in the middle of busy traffic just to save a minute.

 

20. What is the pick up time for school days? Here is the daily bell schedule. In general, school is over at 3:05 except for Wednesdays, when it is over at 2:08. However, in middle school there are also “select days” on the first Wednesday and Thursday of the month that fall within the same week. On those two days, school is out at 12:45. Many kids walk to the Saratoga Library after school and they can do school work and read (assuming good behavior!) so they can be picked up at a later time. The Saratoga Library is off campus and unsupervised by school staff.

 

21. Where do I go for car pickup and drop off? The official locations are the school parking lot in front of the school building, and the circle near the athletic fields and blacktop off Allendale.

 

22. If my child forgets their lunch/instrument/gym uniform/homework/Chromebook/etc. can I drop it off for them during the day? No. The school is pretty strict that unless we’re talking about something like medicine or a medical device, parents will not be permitted to drop items off for their children. This is to help kids learn and also to keep the RMS campus safe and orderly.

 

Extracurricular Activities & Events at RMS

 

23. When can we sign up for sports? Registration for all sports opens August 1, 2025. The last dates for enrollment vary by sport. There are no exceptions made for students who fail to register in a timely manner. More information and FAQs about sports can be found here.

 

24. How can I get more information about RMS clubs? The PTA website has a whole section on the programs and clubs under the PTA umbrella. More information will be posted as registration dates get closer. Students will have a “Club-O-Rama” event during school on 8/26 where they get to learn more about each club.

 

a. Do I have to be a PTA member in order to access the after-school clubs? In order to enroll your student in any after-school clubs at RMS, you must create a Membership Toolkit (“MTK”) account through the PTA website. MTK will save your parent and student information for the duration of your time at RMS. The after-school clubs are made possible by your individual club donations (varies by club) AND your annual PTA donations ($160 recommended).

 

b. What about the lunchtime clubs? The PTA fully funds a wide variety of lunchtime clubs at RMS, and they are very popular with the students! Last year, around 500 students participated in these activities, which include Club 47, Garden Club, Intramural Sports, and Rainbow Alliance. Students do not need to register for these lunchtime clubs, and can just drop in. These very popular activities are 100% funded by your annual PTA donations ($160 recommended).

 

25. What community events take place at RMS? A list of school community events can be found on the PTA website. This year, some of our funnest events will be the Principal’s Coffee on 8/22, the Fall Festival and Movie Night on 10/3, the SEF 5K on 11/2, the first annual RMS winter fundraiser on 12/5, and multicultural night on 4/24.

  

Miscellaneous

 

26. When is picture day? This year, pictures will be taken on August 18.

 

27. Where can I purchase a yearbook? Yearbooks at RMS are available for purchase starting at the beginning of the year. You can secure your student’s copy through the Fee Statement and SUSD Electronic Payment Portal available on PowerSchool. Select “Balance” on your student’s PowerSchool account and it will take you to a list of fees you can take care of (PE uniforms, yearbook, instrument repair donations, etc.). You can also send a check to the front office based on the balance indicated on the fee statement.

 

28. Where do I donate for my student’s grade-level field trip? Every grade goes on one major grade-level field trip each year. This year, SEF is funding all grade-level trips, including bus transportation! This is amazing and is only possible thanks to our community’s SEF donations each year.